Family of Bekmurzaev, detained in Chechnya, unaware of his whereabouts

Relatives of Rasambek Bekmurzaev, detained in Chechnya on suspicion of killing three law enforcers 17 years ago, are concerned about the lack of information about his fate. Rasambek Bekmurzaev was detained by FSB agents, a source from the police reported.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 21, 37-year-old Rasambek Bekmurzaev was detained in the city of Urus-Martan. According to the investigation, after the suspect had killed three law enforcers, he was admitted to a militant grouping led by Arbi Baraev, a well-known field commander (killed in a special operation in 2001), and in recent years, the suspect worked as a taxi driver in Chechnya. The wife of Rasambek Bekmurzaev claimed her husband's innocence and asked the leader of Chechnya to help him return home.

According to Rasambek Bekmurzaev's relatives, Zeda Eskaeva has not yet got any answer to her appeal.

"He takes care of five children. He stayed at home all the time, and he worked. And now he is accused of a murder committed back in 2000. We do not believe in that," said a relative of the detained man.

Another relative of Rasambek Bekmurzaev has noted that the detention resulted in a whole special operation. "Soldiers completely cordoned off the house where he lived together with his family members," reported the man.

According to a source from the Chechen police, local law enforcers were not involved in the detention of Rasambek Bekmurzaev.

"The fact that his wife and his relatives claim his innocence still does not mean anything, since that almost always happens when criminals or terrorists are detained," the source from the police stated.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.